Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: jorainbow on March 01, 2017, 11:27:39 AM
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So just spoken to GP. 'We only prescribe HRT for flushes as there is no proven link between HRT and reduction of anxiety'. Explained I don't feel depressed or anxious all the time but have an awful spaced out feeling (which lifts eventually) and yes occasional anxiety/panic attacks (2 since last week) 'That's what happens when you are anxious all the time - AD's would help'. I'm at a loss and require chocolate 😉😉
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Probably because they get lots of money for prescribing anti ds from pharma companies!! Having said that hrt hasnt helped my anxiety. .but neither did antidepressants. I am weird! Just tell them u have flushes and want to try hrt. they cant refuse. if they do go to a different doc !! very few understand womans hormones I have discovered especially if u dont conform to the norm!
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Not that old thing money! !!! (Loaded with sarcasm 😉😉😉)
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Hrt didn't do anything for my anxiety unfortunately either . Some ladies also use ADs alongside hrt,two pronged attack so to speak. Anxiety is the most difficult to get rid of and despite what some would have you believe hrt alone isn't always the answer for this distressing symptom. Hope you find a solution for you soon.
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I have not found hrt 'cured' my anxiety, but since I went from Femoston 1/20 to 2/10, I feel much less wired up and get papatations and aches in the upper abdomen far less often. I am much more able to deal with it.
I use yoga, breathing to stretch my diaphragm out helps a lot and regular relaxation sessions to remind me of how to do it. I remind myself that it is my body that is doing this to me, and that I don't actually have anything to worry about. (much ::) ) So lots of distressing. (I also resort to gin and chocolate - it has got me out of difficult places before ;) - although I must add that I drink way, way below those government 'targets'. A stiff Gin and a bath full of lavender and chamomile :D )
Best to stick to flushes - look up vasomotor symptoms - have also been told that my bladder issues are not menopause related, and also not sleeping at night (if you have ever lain in that state of not quite dropping off for an entire night, you know! and it is gone now ??? ) Fortunately, my original doctor agreed that my intermittent joint pains were worth trying hrt for - she was around long before the scares of the early 2000s and had a strong interest in women's health but is now retired. I am very grateful to her, because my current small GP practice is not well up on a lot of things and one of the doctors 'doesn't do women's issues' at all.
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I take HRT but also take Escitalapram for anxiety (have done for a long time now and probably always will). If you suffered from anxiety before the menopause then I guess this would be the same for you, if anxiety only came on with peri, then it's hormone related I would guess. Personally I think anything is worth a try when you are feeling rotten
SP x
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I would disagree with your doctor, being on the right dose of hrt (for me) has greatly reduced the anxiety that hit me at Peri menopause. How can they comment if they've never been on it. It's not that I never have anxiety now but only when it's appropriate. For me hrt has helped me to function normally.
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We're all different, some things that work for one don't work for another. HRT helped with my flushes, but not the anxiety. Guess it's trial & error until you find what works best.
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Thanks for all your replies. I guess it is very much trial and error. My hesitance with ad's is having tried ssri before they were unpleasant - increased anxiety/nausea etc which I know is apparently only short term. I tried venlafaxine in 2004 for a bad episode of depression and anxiety but this is nothing like that feeling. They worked but were not good to come off. Sleep wise I have no issue getting off I wake early with anxiety and feel exhausted. Is escitalopram different to citalopram?
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I would always want to try HRT in the first instance and follow dahliagirl's advice - but perhaps not so much of the distressing ;D
Hurdity x
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Less distressing more gin and chocolate I say!!!! I agree though. I'm home now on the sofa relaxed having a good belly laugh at you've been framed and hey presto no foggy feeling!!!! Hopefully the cbt won't be too long starting and the other stuff ive started will help xx
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Bother - that was supposed to be de-stressing, of course :-[ - the computer has become rather too keen with its corrections these days. >:( Officious pedant that it is.....[mutters] :cuss:
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I think Escitalapram is the kinder version of Citalapram but am not 100% sure. Have a chat with your doc maybe?
SP x
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Hello, sorry to hear about people suffering anxiety. It's awful. I've been experiencing what I believe is Perimenopause for 2 years now. I have a gynecologist appointment next in 2 weeks and I want to go on HRT.
Peri can I ask what HRT you are on? And how long did it take to kick in for your anxiety to subside. I've tried 3 anti depressants and they have done nothing for my anxiety. I strongly believe it hormone based. I am only going on 35 but my periods are only 2 longs maybe 3. Very light flow and coming earlier and earlier since start of the year.
Would love some info on this.
Thanks so much.
I can't imagine years of this torture.
Dee
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Hi desperatedee yes peri anxiety is awful but there is a lot you can do I believe. I'm on evorel 50 patches and the mirena coil (so no periods!) Evorel worked immediately for me, I was literally flooded with a sense of wellbeing within 24 hours of taking it. Interestingly I also actually feel the patch run out when it needs changing. I have tried increasing my dose to 75 a few times but my body doesn't like it, so I stick to 50. I also take pura epa concentrated fish oil (3 per day) which I started taking initially for joint pain but which also helps with mood (it's well documented it's a natural anti-depressant), once again I can feel the difference if I stop taking it. Other than this I eat clean, limit sugar and exercise 3 times a week. Good luck with your gynae appointment and let us know how you get on x
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I found hrt really helped my anxiety, I know we are all different but I couldn't get on with anti-depressants so the hrt was great for me. Hope you begin to feel better soon, it really is difficult coping with anxiety, it sucks! :-\ Sal x
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Peri where do you get your pure EPA from? Its bed recommended by a counsellor but there's so much put there with varying levels! !! Today has been a really low day but my period is due (assuming it'll arrive!!!) in three days. I'm just exhausted now and that awful spaced feeling hasn't lifted so I'm off out with the dog in the wind. That might sort it! !!!
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What's EPA?
Nothing like a good walk in the wind to clear the head!
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity! That's certainly worked though my ears are yet to defrost and that's with a woolly hat!! Now I just feel tired - the awful fog has gone! !! Nice relaxing bath time. EPA is pure fish oil and by all accounts the purer the better. It might be the 3 in omega 3 if I've read correctly xx
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That's right it's a high quality pure fish oil, you can Google it. I'll send you a pm, I don't want to mention any makes cos I think that's against the rules x
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Thanks peri much appreciated I'll take a look on the site later and buy some xx it cant do any harm to try 😊😊